Congresswoman Betsy Markey: Representing Colorado's 4th District

Water

The Water Resources Development Act of 2010 (WRDA)

The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment has jurisdiction over the Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Program.  The Water Resources Development Act is legislation that is typically introduced every two years to authorize cost share studies and projects with the Army Corps of Engineers.  For additional background on this legislation, please see the following link: http://transportation.house.gov/Media/file/water/20091118/SSM_WR.pdf.

2010 Water Resources Development Act Requests Submitted by U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey:

Section 595 Program language change for the state of Colorado:

Local sponsors: City of Brush (primary), City of Lamar, City of Greeley, and the Town of Eckley, CO.

Description: This request would amend the Section 595 Program, established in WRDA of 1999, to include Colorado in the existing program.  This program authorizes the Army Corps to provide design and construction assistance for publicly-owned water-related environmental infrastructure and resource protection and development projects in the State.

The assistance provided under this program requires the local government sponsor to provide 25 percent of the cost.  The Federal cost share is 75 percent and may be in the form of a grant or reimbursement of project costs.  Ongoing operation and maintenance costs are borne entirely by the local government.

The Corps of Engineers prioritizes projects based on the following criteria:

-          the presence of an administrative order or water quality violation,

-          the financial capability of the local government, and

-          the stage of the project.

All four local sponsors have submitted examples of projects that could apply for Section 595 funding if Colorado is added to the authorized states.

The South Fork of the Republican River Watershed Riparian/Wetland Restoration General Investigation Study:

Local sponsors: Yuma County Pest Control District (primary), Republican River Water Conservation District, Yuma County Commissioners, Colorado Agriculture Preservation Association, Yuma Conservation District, and the Three Rivers Alliance.

Description: This study includes a comprehensive invasive plant and aquatic nuisance species inventory and removal component.  The primary invasive plant species are Russian-olive and Salt Cedar.  Both species of plants were planted for soil erosion and recommended by the USDA-NRCS for planting.  These species have now escaped and have become a major problem in this watershed primarily due to their high water requirements in a drought prone environment. 

The South Fork of the Republican River Riparian/Wetland Restoration Study will lay the groundwork to assist the private landowners, state landowners, and federal landowners along the South Fork of the Republican River from the Kansas state line to the headwaters with restoration and maintenance of the native riparian and wetland communities that are located within this corridor.  The project will protect water resources, native riparian communities, and enhance wetland use by water fowl and other wildlife.

This project is one of many key steps in bringing Colorado into compliance under the Republican River Compact that is between Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado.

Watershed Study of the South Platte River Basin and its Tributaries:

Local sponsors: City of Greeley.

Description: This study will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the South Platte River Basin and its Tributaries, including current and future trends, likely future scenarios, and measures for an improved future condition.  The study will focus on flood damage reduction, water supply, and environmental protection and restoration. 

The South Platte Basin includes much of northeastern Colorado including the Eastern Plains, the Front Range, Denver, and other quickly developing large urban areas.  The stress on the high elevation, semi-arid region is seen in degradation and loss of ecosystem values, increasing problems with the availability and quality of water supply, potential for flooding, and other watershed problems. Through targeted studies and projects in specific areas, much good has and will be done. 

Chatfield Reservoir Reallocation Project Assignee Language Change Request:

Local sponsors: City of Aurora, City of Brighton, Central Colorado Water Conservancy District, Colorado Division of Parks & Outdoor Recreation, Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, Western Mutual Ditch Company, Town of Castle Rock, Castle Pines Metropolitan District, Castle Pines North Metropolitan District, Centennial Water and Sanitation District, Center of Colorado Water Conservancy District, Mount Carbon Metropolitan District, Perry Park Country Club, Roxborough Water and Sanitation District, South Metro Water Supply Authority

Description: The language requested by the 15 Chatfield water user organizations would add three words to existing public law (P.L. 111-8 – Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009, Sec. 116) that would clarify and add flexibility by allowing the Colorado Department of Natural Resources to designate another entity to implement and manage the Chatfield reallocation project, including carrying out environmental mitigation and recreational modifications. 

The Chatfield Reservoir Reallocation Project would create storage space for an additional 20,600 acre-feet of water in Chatfield Reservoir.  The water supply storage space will be made available to upstream and downstream municipal and agricultural users as well as potentially achieving environmental and recreational benefits in the urban South Platte River corridor.

Chatfield Reservoir Reallocation FR/EIS Study Support Language Request:

Local sponsors: Colorado Water Conservation Board

Description: The language requested by the Colorado Water Conservation Board would provide additional support for the Chatfield Reservoir, Colorado Reallocation Feasibility Report/Environmental Impact Statement study currently underway by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.  This language will ensure the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers uses current Corps Principles and Guidelines for the Environmental Impact Statement in the event those guidelines are revised and published before the Chatfield project application is completed and a Record of Decision is issued.  The Chatfield study is at a critical stage after many years of delays, and this language will ensure new guidelines will not hold up the study completion.

The Chatfield Reservoir Reallocation Project would create storage space for an additional 20,600 acre-feet of water in Chatfield Reservoir.  The water supply storage space will be made available to upstream and downstream municipal and agricultural users as well as potentially achieving environmental and recreational benefits in the urban South Platte River corridor.